Pancreas scanning is a nuclear study performed to assist in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease resulting from abnormalities of the exocrine portion of the organ. Focal lesions are identified by the absence of uptake of the radionuclide selenium 75 (75Se) during scanning, which indicates the presence of a tumor or inflammatory process when the procedure is performed in combination with ultrasonography and evaluation of laboratory enzyme levels. Other processes that impede the secretory ability leading to the stimulation of pancreatic enzyme formation and secretion into the bowel are vagotomy, acute peptic ulcer, ascites, cancer, starvation, and gastroenterostomy. Enzyme production decreases the radionuclide uptake and determines the diagnosis of pancreas pathology.51
Nursing Care Before the Procedure
Client teaching and physical preparation are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").
The client is placed on the examining table in a supine position. He or she is then requested to remain still during the scanning, and selenomethionine Se 75 is administered IV. Scanning over the abdominal area is performed and images are obtained and compared with other studies to determine abnormalities that the scan alone cannot detect.
Nursing Care After the Procedure
Care and assessment after the procedure are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").
